What is the Currency in Morocco?

Which is the best travel guide to buy and can I buy Dirhams before I travel?

Our unique smartphone App the Marrakech Riad Travel Guide is free to download and helps you navigate the souks without needing wifi or data roaming. We really like the Lonely Planet Marrakech Encounter guide but there are many excellent guides to choose from, why not browse our online store. The Dirham is not allowed to be taken out of the country in amounts larger than Dirhams 1,000 consequently it cannot be purchased before traveling. A bureau de change is available at Marrakech airport and there are ATM machines both at the airport and in the City. Scottish notes are not accepted in banks in Morocco and many banks are uncomfortable accepting travelers cheques.

Suggestion: Ask for some small notes or coins when exchanging money. Tips are customary in Marrakech and many everyday items cost much less than a 100 dirham note.

Top tip: Bear in mind Marrakech has largely a ‘cash economy’. Credit cards are not widely accepted except in top restaurants and antique shops.

Do I need a VISA to travel to Marrakech?

Good news if you are planning for exotic last minute holidays. Citizens of EU countries, including Britain, do not need a VISA for tourist visits of up to three months. There is however a requirement for passports to be valid for three months at the date of entry.

What happens if my passport is lost?

How far is the airport from the Riads and how do I get there?

Marrakech Riad Papillon and Marrakech Riad Cinnamon are both accessed through the well known Dar El Bashah entrance to the Medina, our Riad Dar Habiba is accessed through the Riad Zitoun entrance, and our Riad Star is accessed through the Place Mokkef or Dior Sabbon entrances. The Medina is about 15 minutes drive from the airport. We strongly recommend that arriving guests use our airport transfer service priced at £15 pounds each way for two people booked in advance. Our driver will meet you at airport arrivals and you will be accompanied all the way to the Riad.

What temperatures can I expect when I am going to Marrakech?

From June to August temperatures are often in excess of 40 degrees and can reach the high 40’s. December, January and February can see sunbathing weather in the day up to 27 degrees with nights as cool as 8 degrees. Spring and Autumn are the traditional high season times to visit Marrakech with temperatures in the high 20’s to mid 30’s.

Can I use my mobile phone in Marrakech?

Morocco has an excellent modern mobile phone infrastructure which also supports 4G and data roaming. However it is advisable to check charges with your mobile provider before using your phone extensively to avoid unpleasant surprises.

How do I get around the Medina?

A very good way to explore the Marrakech old town (Medina) is on foot. Most of the streets are teeming with life; pedestrians, cyclists, donkeys and carts, motorbikes with a few cars and delivery vehicles on the larger thoroughfares. In general pedestrians keep to the right and wheeled vehicles whiz up and down the middle- consequently it is not a good idea to walk slowly down the middle of the street looking down at a map!

Your Marrakech Riad can organise a tour by horse and carriage, known locally as ‘Caleche’, this is an excellent way to visit the palaces and gardens.

Suggestion: An accurate map of the Medina is hard to find, one of its charms is the intricate network of interconnecting streets and alleyways. Many first time visitors find a compass helpful. In our view by far the best map of the medina is the Rough Guide Map, why not buy a copy before you travel from our Marrakech Riad Online Store.

Suggestion: We recently published the Marrakech Riad Travel Guide, a smartphone App which is free to download in the Appstore and Googleplay. This includes a Map and Guide with offline GPS positioning, meaning that you do not need wifi or data roaming enabled to establish you approximate position in the Medina.

What is the dress code in Morocco?

Morocco is an Islamic country which welcomes tourists who are sensitive to local tradition. Shorts and short sleeve tops are fine as long as they are not too revealing. It is not sensible for women to wear clothes that reveal too much cleavage or the waist line. More discretion is required during the holy festival of Ramadan.

Can I get alcohol in Marrakech? and where can I smoke?

The Medina does not have pubs or wine bars, however there are plenty of hotels and restaurants with public bars. Alcohol is not available in the cafes around the place Jemaa al Fna. In the new town of Guiliez there are several European style bars as well as a vibrant night club scene. A number of the fashionable cafes in Guiliez serve alcohol indoors, including the Grande Café de La Poste, and where this is the case the logo of a beer brand is often displayed discreetly outside. Local Café bars on the backstreets in Guiliz are basic and inexpensive but these are pretty much male only and are not recommended for female visitors.

It is advisable to be sensitive smoking in public particularly during the holy month of Ramadan when the locals do not smoke during daylight hours. Bars and restaurants generally have smoking and non smoking areas. In our Marrakech Riads guests may smoke in designated areas on the roof terraces.

Suggestion: local Moroccan wines can be excellent and are much less expensive than those imported from France.

Is it safe to walk around alone at night?

Is the tap water safe to drink?

The locals regularly drink the tap water but visiting tourists will not have time to get used to it and are probably best to drink bottled water. Mineral water can be purchased from many kiosks and stalls around the Medina and chilled water is available at a small charge from the mini-bars in the rooms at Marrakech Riad Papillon, Marrakech Riad Cinnamon and Marrakech Riad Star.

Is the food spicy and is it safe to eat at the food stalls?

Traditional Moroccan cuisine uses fragrant spices like cinnamon rather than hot spices. Food stalls, including those in the Jema al Fnaa, often do not have running water or refrigeration so they are not able to properly wash plates and food hygiene can fall well below Western standards. It would therefore never be strictly speaking ‘advisable’ to eat at food stalls when considering where to eat in Marrakech. However, many visitors have eaten without problems and the atmosphere in the square is an exceptional experience. There is an argument that at least the cooking is visible unlike many inexpensive restaurants. All would agree that it is particularly important to keep to items that have been well cooked when eating meat.

What is the convention regarding tipping?

Tipping is a part of every-day life in Morocco. We are often asked for guidelines about gratuities. These suggestions are based on our experience of general practice here in Marrakech.

We would not reward poor or bad service with a tip and on occasion we have put up with a bit of personal embarrassment to make that point. On the other hand Morocco is a developing country with minimal state provision for those in real need. There are many large families with only one or two bread-winners working, yet even so there is remarkable solidarity and a strong culture of sharing with others in the community. In this context we feel very good about giving generous tips to everyday working people.

Cafes: It is polite to leave two or three dirhams if you are having a coffee or soft drink. Giving Euro coins, sterling coins or small US$ bills is not ideal. The waiter will not be able to spend foreign change in local shops and it will probably end up in the hands of boys in the street hassling tourists to change it for Dirhams!

Restaurants: Similar to the UK, 5-10% is considered appropriate or generous. Of course it’s fine to give more if the service has been really exceptional.

Small or ‘petit’ taxis: can take up to three passengers. For five or ten minute journeys around the old town or to nearby Guiliez the drivers often do not put on the meter, there is no need to worry about this. It is polite to give 15 or 20 dirhams (the meter would probably go to less than 10) if the driver demands more walk away with confidence you have been fair with him. For longer journeys ask them to put the meter on and round up to the nearest 10 dirhams.

Excursions: Tipping is not required for excursions booked through the Riad but it is much appreciated. 50 or 100 Dirhams is a perfectly polite gratuity for a half or full day, if the driver has really made your day for you it’s great to be more generous

Riad staff: Tipping is at your discretion, you certainly should not feel any obligation. Many guests hand a personal gratuity directly to the member of staff who has facilitated their stay or to other individuals as they see fit. We also have a tip box which is shared by the broader team and this is a nice way of showing appreciation to those whose contribution may be less visible.

Whole Riad Parties: For larger groups we suggest it might be helpful for the group organiser to coordinate any gratuities at the end of your holiday. In the case of whole Riad bookings 5 % of total bill including accommodation is considered generous.

Are there pharmacies in Marrakech, Morocco?

There are a number of excellent pharmacies in Marrakech both in the Medina and in the new town of Guiliez. Common medication and toiletries are readily available including many leading western brands. Moroccan pharmacists can prescribe and immediately supply some medications, for example antibiotics, which would have to be prescribed by doctors in the UK. Where necessary the Riad can provide introductions to private doctors or the medical clinic and excellent dentist used by British expats in Marrakech.

What is the electrical voltage in Marrakech, what type of plugs do they have, and what appliances will be provided in my room?

The voltage is 210 as in the UK and they use a standard European two round pin plug. The Riad staff will be happy to provide UK adaptors if you need them. Our luxury rooms have air conditioning, flat screen tv’s with satellite channels, minibars, and hair dryers. We do not provide an iron because there there are no surfaces in the rooms suitable for ironing. There are a number of excellent dry cleaners and ‘blanchisserie’ in Marrakech offering ironing services with a quick turnaround.

When can we check in to the Riad?

Check in time at our boutique hotels in Marrakech is 3pm. Where the rooms is available and prepared we will be pleased to let guests check in early at no extra charge. If possible please advise in advance of any late arrival. Riads are essentially luxury family homes built in an intimate courtyard setting. So as not to disturb guests who may be sleeping we prefer new arrivals to check in before 10 pm.

What time must we vacate the room when checking out after our exclusive stay in Marrakech?

Check out time is 11.00 on your departure day. Arrangements may be made for a later check out if the room has a late arrival, you would need to check with the Riad the night before. We do not charge for late check outs. In any event we will be pleased to look after you and your baggage until you are ready to leave for the airport.